Method of reconstructing salvable bowling pins



Feb. 18, 1958 G. J. FRANCAR 2,823,714

METHOD OF RECONSTRUCTING SALVABLE BOWLING PINS Filed Oct. 6, 1954 INVENTOR.

GO/PDO/VJ FRH/VCF'V? BY HTTORNEY United States Patent 0 METHOD OF RECONSTRUCTING SALVABLE BOWLING PINS Gordon J. Francar, Green Bay, Wis. Application October 6, 1954, Serial No. 460,734

2 Claims. (Cl. 144-309) This invention relates generally to the art of salvaging and reconstructing salvable bowling pins, and more particularly to a new and novel method requiring the use of a single wood slab insert, only.

A salvable bowling pin is a used or damaged bowling pin, or the like, whose surface has become dented, cracked, chipped, splintered or otherwise damaged; or a new or used bowling pin, or unfinished bowling pin, that is overweight; or a defective new bowling pin that is re jectable because of the presence therein of knots, cracks, cavities, bad surfaces, or is otherwise imperfectly formed, or the like.

It is known to be old in the art of expanding salvable bowling pins, to fully laterally increase the bulk of salvable bowling pins by the segmental division thereof, and the insertion of two wood slabs therebetween to form a cross.

The purpose of this invention is to economize on the use of wood by eliminating one of the slab members.

An object of this invention is the provision of a new and novel method of reconstructing a salvable bowling pin whereby a minimum of additional intervening wood is used.

Another object is to provide a new and novel method of reconstructing a salvable bowling pin whereby the bulk of said pin is expanded in one direction only.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a new and novel method of reconstructing a salvable bowling pin whereby the bulk of said pin is expanded in the direction of the major defects only.

Yet another object is to provide a new and novel method whereby selected useable segments of a plurality of salvable pins are embodied in a reconstructed pin and the remaining portions, defective beyond salvation, are discarded.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a new and novel method of reconstructing a salvable bowling pin which is overweight by compensating for the overweight by the use of a wood slab of less density than the salvable pin.

A still further object is to provide a method of reconstructing salvable bowling pins quickly and cheaply.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view of a salvable bowling pin, showing the pin bisected along the longitudinal axis thereof, the symmetric half segments being disposed in spaced relation;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation view, showing the half segments of Fig. l oppositely disposed and cemented on opposite faces of an intervening wood slab, forming a unidirectionally laterally expanded rough pin unit;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is an elevation view of a finished reconstructed pin, after removing excess outer portions of the rough pin unit to provide a bowling pin of a size and shape equal to a standard bowling pin.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown a salvable bowling pin generally indicated at 10, longitudinally divided, along its longitudinal axis, into two symmetric half segments 11 and 12.

It is preferred that the dividing cut be made at right angle to the fiat grain of the bowling pin, thereby providing a. maximum of edge grain in the finished reconstructed pin, due to a wood slab insert to be hereinafter described.

Alternatively, the dividing cut can be made parallel to the flat grain of the bowling pin, thereby allowing for ultimate removal, of the vulnerable surficial fiat grain which is usually severely damaged, by the trimming process to be hereinafter described.

Still alternatively, the dividing cut can be made to isolate major defects 14 most distantly from the dividing plane, thereby allowing for the ultimate removal of said defects in the trimming process to be hereinafter described.

Yet alternatively, the dividing cut can be made so as to isolate hopeless defects, rendering that segment beyond salvation and therefore discardable, and saving the other useable segment for association with a similar useable segment from another bowling pin, in the reconstruction process to be hereinafter described.

The two cut faces of the segments are then made smooth, if necessary, in any suitable manner, as by sandpapering, planing, or the like.

After the cut faces have been properly smoothed, said faces are coated with a glue or cement, and oppositely disposed on opposite faces of an intervening wood slab 13, and the segments held pressed to the slab until the cement has dried, thereby forming a unidirectionally expanded rough pin unit, as shown in Fig. 3. The wood slab should preferably be of the same wood as the salvable bowling pin, adequately dried for the intended purpose, should be of length and width at least as great as the corresponding dimensions of the salvable pin, and of a thickness to allow for the ultimate complete removal of the defects. A seven-eighths inch thickness suffices in most instances. The segments should be preferably centered on said slabs.

Should the salvable pin be overweight, the slab insert should be of a density less than the density of the overweight pin, to bring the weight of the ultimately reconstructed pin within specification limits for a new standard pm.

The unit is now ready for trimming. In trimming, those portions of the wood slab projecting beyond the outline of the pin segments are first removed, preferably with a band saw.

The resulting rough bowling pin body is now mounted in a lathe with the spindle points substantially on the longitudinal axis of said wood body, and trimmed down gradually, with the use of suitable lathe cutting tools, to a size and shape of a standard bowling pin, as shown in Fig.5.

A feature of this invention is the provision of a new and novel method of reconstructing salvable bowling pins whereby a single slab insert, coupled with the selective location of the bisecting plane, results in a quick and cheap method of reconstructing salvable bowling pins.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood, that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practised otherwise than as specifically described.

' What is claimed and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United Statesis: I

1. A method of reconstructing asalvable bowling pin, comprising the steps of: dividing a salvable bowling pin along the longitudinal axis thereof, on a plane selected to isolate major defects most distantly from said dividing plane, into two half segments; cementing said segments, oppositely disposed, on opposite faces "of a wood slab means, to form a partially laterally expanded rough pin unit; and trimming away excess outer portions of said unit to form a reconstructed bowling pin of standard size and shape.

2. A method of reconstructing salvable bowling pins, I

comrising the steps of: dividing salvable bowling pins along the longitudinal axis thereof, on a plane selected to isolate major defects most distantly from said dividing plane, into useable and rejectable half segments; selecting the usesable half segments and cementing said segments, oppositely disposed, on opposite faces of a wood slab means, to form a partially laterally expanded rough pin unit; and trimming away excess outer portions of said unit to form a reconstructed bowling pin of standard size and shape.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,418,546 Eastman June 6, 1922 2,634,774 Francar Apr. 14, 1953 2,681,672 Maly June 22, 1954 2,721,590 Giese Oct. 25, 1955 

